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FSTC Newsletter Issue 10: January 2013

In the first days of the New Year, FSTC team is pleased to present to our wide community Issue 10 of this periodic publication. We list in this new release detailed coverage on FSTC recent activities including the work of its members and subsidiaries. This Issue highlights the continuing success of "1001 Inventions" in its world tour, which now brings it to the South Asian shores, in Malaysia. In partnership with National Geographic, FSTC produced content for a new kids book based on the 1001 Inventions book. FSTC President, Chairman, members of FSTC Advisory Board, the Research Team and the Editorial Board continued lecturing and publishing on different subjects around the world. The dissemination of knowledge about the cultural roots of science and technology, which is FSTC's main objective and fundamental mission, is pursued with the same dedication. Many other initiatives and projects are in the pipeline for 2013; all to be reported in forthcoming issues. You can also keep in touch with us and know more through our electronic platforms.

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FSTC Newsletter
January 2013 Issue 10

In the first days of the New Year, FSTC team is pleased to present to our wide community Issue 10 of this periodic publication. We list in this new release detailed coverage on FSTC recent activities including the work of its members and subsidiaries. This Issue highlights the continuing success of "1001 Inventions" in its world tour, which now brings it to the South Asian shores, in Malaysia. In partnership with National Geographic, FSTC produced content for a new kids book based on the 1001 Inventions book. FSTC President, Chairman, members of FSTC Advisory Board, the Research Team and the Editorial Board continued lecturing and publishing on different subjects around the world. The dissemination of knowledge about the cultural roots of science and technology, which is FSTC's main objective and fundamental mission, is pursued with the same dedication. Many other initiatives and projects are in the pipeline for 2013; all to be reported in forthcoming issues. You can also keep in touch with us and know more through our electronic platforms.

Dear readers of our Newsletter,
"Well another year has passed and a new one is starting with more successes and challenges to our noble mission. Professor Gomati and I like to take this opportunity to send you a short but sincere message on behalf of the Board, the staff and the wider family of FSTC. We are blessed with a fantastic team and a wonderful galaxy of supporters. May this New Year bring you immense happiness and Baraka in all that you do. May your aspirations and hopes succeed with the blessings of the Almighty."

Support Us: Join our Facebook and Invite your Friends

There are several ways you can assist or be involved with FSTC. We greatly appreciate the offer of support for our global educational initiative from individuals and organisations of all sizes and cultural backgrounds across the world. Our Foundation is based in Manchester (UK), its mission is to raise awareness to the contributions the Muslim world has made to building the foundations of modern civilisation. FSTC works very closely with academics, researchers and experts in the field, in order to raise widespread public awareness about the achievements of Muslim civilisation and other connected civilisations.Join Us

FSTC President at theWSIE Boston Conferences

In late September 2012, Professor Al-Hassani, President of FSTC, participated in The World Summit on Innovation & Entrepreneurship WSIE 2012 in Boston. The WSIE 2012 brought together the world's most riveting people to plot the new frontiers of the smarter innovation economy. The forum provides a meaningful setting that engages the world's most amazing people to transform our economies, societies, and the environment. Professor Al-Hassani contributed to discussion and made several speeches in different panels, relevant to various themes such as Innovation Diplomacy, Smart Cities of 2022, Smart Cultures, Applied Science and Applied Women, and finally Women of Science in Muslim Heritage. We present hereafter texts and abstracts of the contributions of FSTC President to this important forum.Read Full Article

New Articles on our Web Portal MuslimHeritage.com

"Experimental Medicine 1000 Years Ago" and "Ibn Zuhr and the Progress of Surgery": two articles written by Professor Rabie El-Said Abdel-Halim, FSTC member and renowned expert in Islamic medicine. Professor Mohammed Abattouy, chief editor of Muslim Heritage web portal, also produced two articles about the great philosopher "Ibn Rushd (Averroes)" and "A New Arabic Text of Mechanics: Sinan ibn Thabit on the Theory of Simple MachinesW. Other articles include: "Ibn Al-Haytham on Eye and Brain, Vision and Perception" by Professor Charles G. Gross. "Reason and Rationality in the Quran" by Dr Ibrahim Kalin. "Civilisational Dialogue: Medieval Social Thought, Latin-European Renaissance, and Islamic Influences" by S. M. Ghazanfar. David Graeber published a review of "Debt - The First 5,000 Years" book by Trevor E. Hilder. FSTC team also produced: "Ecology in Islamic Culture: A Selected Critical Bibliography", "Islamic Manuscripts in the Schoenberg Collection at Pennsylvania University", "British Prime Minister David Cameron in Dar Al-Hekma College, Jeddah".
Many other articles, on different issues related to Islamic Studies and the wide Muslim Heritage area of research are being scheduled for publication in 2013.

President of FSTC at AINAC in Abu Dhabi

Professor Salim Al-Hassani, President of the Foundation for Science, Technology (FSTC) attended the First Arab Innovation Network Annual Conference (AINAC 2012) in early December 2012 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Organised by Cambridge University's Arab Innovation Network Society between December 4-6, keynote speakers (among many other workshop speakers) included Professor Salim T.S. Al- Hassani, Mr. Riad Kamal, Founder and Executive Chairman of Arabtec Construction and CEO of Arabtec Holding and Mr Badr Jafar, Managing director of Crescent Group and President of Crescent Petroleum. The designated research categories discussed in the conference include: Entrepreneurship, Information and Communication Technology [ICT], Environment and Health.Read Full Article

1001 Inventions Announces Three-Year Tour of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 22nd Nov 2012: The award-winning blockbuster exhibition "1001 Inventions" about the achievements of Muslim Civilisation in science and technology, will be launching a three-year tour of Malaysia in early 2013 for its Asian Premiere. The announcement was made at Pusat Sains Negara – Malaysia's National Science Centre – and witnessed by representatives from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).Read Full Article

President of FSTC, One of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in 2012

Professor Salim T S Al-Hassani, the President of FSTC, has been chosen for the third time as one of "The 500 Most Influential Muslims." The recently released third edition (2012) of The 500 Most Influential Muslims has bestowed a deserved distinction on Professor Salim T S Al-Hassani, who was chosen one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims before, back in 2010 and in 2011.Read Full Article

Record Audiences for 1001 Inventions Show in Doha

Qatar, 13th Nov. 2012: The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha enjoyed a record number of visitors in November as more than 72,000 people visited the blockbuster "1001 Inventions" show, which closed November 12, 2012, after a successful 4-week run in Doha. Following smash hit residencies in major world cities like London, New York, Washington DC, Istanbul and Los Angeles, the world-renowned exhibition about Islamic science and culture opened to great fanfare in Doha in October 2012. The "1001 Inventions" science heritage exhibition highlighting the achievements of the Golden Age of Muslim civilisation was brought to Doha in collaboration with Qatar Museums Authority (QMA), the Museum of Islamic Art and Qatar Shell.Read Full Article

Prof Rabie E Abdel-Halim Lectures

Prof Rabie E Abdel-Halim presented recently three le'ctures on behalf of FSTC:
1. Lecture at the Wellcome Institute in London on ‘Medicine and Health in Medieval Arabic Poetry: An Historical Review': an oral presentation on behalf of FSTC at the 2012 International Symposium on Poetry and Medicine organized by the Poetry and Medicine Initiative of the Institute of Clinical Sciences, Warwick Medical School and held at the Henry Wellcome Lecture Theatre, Wellcome Collection, Wellcome Institute, London on the 12th of May 2012.
2. Lecture at the Manchester Metropolitan University: A guest lecture presented at the 2012 Conference on Intellectual Life in Early Muslim World: Past and Present organized by and held at the History Department of Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester on the June 13, 2012.
3. Lecture at Mus Alp Arslan University, Mus, Turkey on ‘The Use of Arabic Poetry in the Teaching of Medical Humanities at Medical Colleges', presented at the conference on Madrasah Tradition and Madrasahs in the Process of Modernization organized by and held at the Faculty of Theology, Alp Arslan University, Mus, Turkey on October, 5-7 2012.Read Full Article

1001 Inventions Exhibition at the National Geographic Museum in Washington DC

The award-winning interactive exhibition "1001 Inventions" opened in the US capital on August 3, 2012, introducing brand new audiences to the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization. Visitors to the National Geographic Museum, just half a mile from the White House, were given the opportunity to discover the ground-breaking scientific and cultural achievements of this era, from the 7th to the 17th centuries, for six months until February 3, 2013. "1001 Inventions: Discover the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization" is a blockbuster traveling exhibition that highlights the enormous contribution to science and technology made by men and women of different faiths and cultures who lived in Muslim Civilization.Read Full Article

A Lecture by FSTC Chairman Professor El-Gomati at the Meeting of York Society of Engineers

Isaac Newton once said "I can see thus far because I am standing on the shoulders of giants." However, seldom do we see references to non-Greek scientists and engineers who contributed to our understanding of present day science and technology. The role of Arab and Muslim scientists and scholars, in particular during the period corresponding to the European Middle Ages, is often presented as a translation movement which was limited to the preservation of Greek knowledge; a historical account that FSTC Chairman Professor El-Gomati challenged in his talk presented on December 6, 2012 in a meeting of York Society of Engineers, York, UKRead Full Article

HH Emir of Qatar thrilled by 1001 Inventions Show in Doha

Doha, 5th Nov. 2012: Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, visited the award-winning "1001 Inventions" show in Doha today, accompanied by HH Sheikha Al-Mayassa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Qatar Museums Authority.
The Emir's visit to the blockbuster exhibition, based in the city's Museum of Islamic Art Park, gave him the opportunity to witness first-hand the show's enormous popularity with local children and adults. Opened by HH Sheikha Al-Mayassa on the 17th of October, just three weeks ago, the "1001 Inventions" attraction has already welcomed more than 50,000 visitors keen to explore astounding scientific achievements from the Golden Age of Muslim civilization.Read Full Article

Prof. Qasim Al-Samarrai Lecture

On Wednesday 28th November 2012, Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation in London organised a public lecture on "The Critical Edition of Manuscripts: Past, Present and Future," delivered by Professor Qasim Al-Samarrai, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies. Professor Al-Samarrai is a member of the International Advisory Board of FSTC.
After the reception and the opening words, Mr. Sharaf Yamani, member of the Al-Furqan Board of Directors, gave a short brief on Al-Furqan main work and achievements in the field of the critical edition of manuscripts. He emphasised the fact that Al-Furqan has published so far thirty six volumes of manuscripts and has organised three international training courses on editing.Read Full Article

1001 Inventions and Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization

This newly released book is the official children's companion to the exhibition "1001 Inventions"; it was produced by National Geographic for ages 8-12 by using the winning formula of facts, photos and fun. Each page of the book is packed with information on little-known history of Muslim civilization, showing how past inventions, theories, artefacts and achievements still apply to our world today. We often think that people from a thousand years ago were living in the Dark Ages. But from the 7th century onward in Muslim civilization there were amazing advances and inventions that still influence our everyday lives. Inventors created marvels like the elephant water clock, explorers drew detailed maps of the world, women made scientific breakthroughs and founded universities, and so much more to discover in this book!Read Full Article

Turkish-American TV: Interview with President of FSTC

Interview with Prof. Salim Al-Hassani at "1001 Inventions" exhibition in National Geographic Museum by Turkish-American TV. The award winning "1001 Inventions" exhibit held at the National Geographic Museum reveals the ancient Muslim world's ground-breaking contributions to science and technology and how its influence extends into the present day. "1001 Inventions" has gathered much attention from a wide audience in several cities, including Istanbul, Turkey as Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's request that this exhibition be displayed there. Over the course of 7 weeks, the exhibit received 450,000 visitors in Sultan Ahmet Square. Professor Salim Al-Hassani, FSTC President and the Chief Editor of the book "1001 Inventions", remarked that he saw many young Turks cry from joy upon seeing their ancestors' brilliant contributions to history while stating: "This is fantastic… we now feel that we have respect; we have appreciation from the rest of the world."Read Full Article

Royal Welcome for 1001 Inventions in Qatar

Doha, 16th October 2012: The award-winning "1001 Inventions" exhibition and its sister show "Arabick Roots" enjoyed a Royal launch in Doha's Museum of Islamic Art, thanks to Her Excellency Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani who officially opened both exhibitions today. At the event, attended by 500 distinguished members of the local and international cultural communities, guests were led through the exhibition on a journey to the Golden Age of Muslim civilization in a memorable celebration of the cultural roots of modern science and technology.Read Full Article

National Geographic Live!

Professor Salim Al-Hassani's Lecture at National Geographic Museum, Washington DC, was broadcast live on National Geographic TV. In this lecture, FSTC President emphasizes that the idea for compiling the knowledge behind this exhibit was born 13 years ago after a professor and colleague of his stated that 1,000 years of history, otherwise known as the dark ages in the West, had been forgotten. Professor Al-Hassani prefers to refer to this period as the "Golden Age", as many pioneers from the Muslim world significantly changed the course of history for the better during this time. He underscores how the exhibition "1001 Inventions" has helped many people worldwide to recognize their integral role in civilization, as their ancestors were its "builders". Read Full Article

CE4tF Launches Be the Future Programme in Istanbul

Curriculum Enrichment for the Future (CE4tF), a FSTC subsidiary, launched it's Be the Future! (BtF!) training programme in Istanbul on August 27, 2012. The programme reveals the forgotten history of remarkable men and women from a variety of faiths and backgrounds whose conduct, demeanour and foresight helped pave the way to changes in thinking and significant achievements. CE4tF played host to over 30 educators, scientists, psychologists and doctors for a 3 day programme at Marmara University. BtF is a highly participative and interactive training initiative, delivered by a group of facilitators from a variety of backgrounds. The programme explores the vitally important relationship between looking afresh at our shared history, how doing so affects our attitude in the present, and how we might use these new understandings to work together in the present moment to generate a better future for all.Read Full Article